Association of Medical Doctors of ASIA, founded in 1984, Consultative Status with UN ECOSOC since 1995

As three years have already passed since the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the protracted situation has put a significant mental burden on evacuees. Repercussions of the conflict have forced them to face financial difficulties and disruptions in family lives, so much so that the need for emotional support has been surging.

While some families go through family break-ups, there are men and women who are singlehandedly raising several children. Some wives seem to be at a loss as their husbands cannot work due to their disabilities, and there are people who have no financial resources to rely on.

St. Michael’s Center for Medical and Social Rehabilitation of Children is AMDA’s local counterpart based in Uzhhorod, Zakarpattia Oblast, in western Ukraine. Primarily providing rehabilitation services for children with impairments, the facility has been accommodating children and their families with similar needs from the nation’s eastern war zones. AMDA has been supporting the organization through funds and other means of assistance. 

During an online meeting held between AMDA and St. Michael’s, the latter shared recent developments in horse-riding therapy, one of the center’s noteworthy programs. For instance, a child who was once bedridden has recovered to the point where one can sit up on the bed by oneself after undergoing 30 sessions.

Another case was of a child who used to have behavioral, speech, and communication difficulties. After undergoing the therapy for two years, the child became emotionally stable and started uttering words. The child can now understand instructions from others, with clear progress observed in one’s communication skills.

Although these cases demonstrate remarkable effects of continuous rehabilitative care, the center is facing a severe challenge in maintaining its services. Requests for assistance have far exceeded the center’s capacity and manpower, forcing it to halt some of its activities.

Currently, patient reservations are fully booked through late December because the center can only see up to 60 patients per day. Due to limited staff, the facility simply cannot keep pace with the increasing number of inquiries. As of now, no vacant slots are available for patient reservations from January 2026 onwards. 

Despite the influx of inquiries, St. Michael’s has been facing extremely challenging circumstances. Because the government provides only around 25% of the expected subsidies, financing has become difficult. Furthermore, continuously supporting a few oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy is costly.

Accordingly, St. Michael’s has had to suspend some of the sideline programs due to the lack of funds. They include: 1) support for an aid group that provides free meals to the impoverished, and 2) donation activities at community events and for those in need. All of these activities have been stopped for the past month and a half.

Basically, AMDA’s funds are a comprehensive package which could be utilized for both the running costs of St. Michael’s main body, and its sideline activities. However, because the government subsidies have been falling short, the center has had to divert the use of the funds solely to sustain its main operations.

To ensure the continuation of St. Michael’s activities, AMDA will be enhancing its assistance to facilitate the further distribution of aid. Through St. Michael’s, AMDA hopes to continue supporting Ukrainian evacuees in the best way possible.